I am writing an include file to generate the shrouds for the USS Niagara
model I am working on.

My problem is in the ratlines (those horizontal ropes that hang between the
vertical shrouds).  I  want the rat lines to hang so that the lowest point
is 150mm below the ponit at which they join the shroudes. My first idea was
to keep it simple. I scaled a half torus so that is fit between the shrouds.
The problem is obvious, as the torus stretches the smaller diameter of the
torus also stretches, resulting in a varying diameter in the ratline.

I then thought that I would try to write a #while loop that would place
spheres along the curve of a catenary. However, my math skills are not up to
the task.

Here is my call for help....

Can anybody help me with a formula for either a catenary of even a parabola
whose curve has a vertex of  <0,-150,0> and has X intercepts of <X,0,0> with
X being a variable?

And while I am asking.....does anybody have a nice rope texture that I could
put on the finished shrouds?

Thanks,

Tim

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